more-in The bright lights illuminating walkways around lakes may be keeping out the original denizens of the lake ecosystem: birds, bats and other insects. Currently, most lake rejuvenation projects come with a package of walking paths, open-air gyms and other facilities which turn the area into a public space. But night lighting within the lake premises adversely affects the fauna, say researchers and activists. “Most lakes have LED lights that are kept on till late in the night. Though there has been no scientific study, anecdotally it seems like birds nesting in these lakes have definitely decreased. The bat population at these lakes have also decreased,” said V. Ramprasad, convenor, Friends of Lakes. Several lakes, including two lakes in Vidyaranyapura, Jakkur lake, Allalasandra lake and Agara lake, have night lighting. Many detailed project reports for lake rejuvenation by the BBMP and BDA, which are in the pipeline, have proposals for walkways and street lights. S. Subramanya, an avid bird watcher and researcher, said lights were never part of the lake eco-system and he was at a loss as to why they are being introduced now. “Lakes are home to a wide diversity of fauna. Would we light up our houses all night? Night lighting will adversely impact habitation. Birds will not choose such areas for nesting and breeding,” he said. Lighting up such ecosystems will also adversely affect the patterns of nocturnal creatures like bats, owls and several insects, he added. Harini Nagendra, professor of sustainability, Azim Premji University, said care must be taken to even avoid building walkways through wetlands, which are usually the habitats of a variety of fauna. In many lakes, walkways have cut through wetlands disturbing this habitat, she said. “There are exceptions, like Madiwala Bio Diversity Park, Kaikondrahalli Lake, which do not have lighting. It was a conscious decision,” said Dr. Nagendra. Senior civil officials say that after rejuvenation, lakes are seen as open public spaces, and there was pressure from communities for amenities, including night lighting. People want to walk along the lake not just in the mornings, but late evenings too. Street lights come into the picture for safety after dark, he explained. “Unless these areas have lights, they become dens for anti-social elements like drug peddlers, drunkards and, many times, even prostitution,” said an official. However, activists argue that lighting up the lakes to prevent anti-social elements made little sense. “Let them fence all the lakes and put them under lock and key post 6.30 p.m. In some lakes, there are home guards deputed to ensure this does not happen,” said Dr. Subramanya.

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